Welsh corgi

The Cardigan's ears (left) are somewhat larger than the Pembroke's (right).

The Pembroke Corgi's tail is often docked, and its ears are smaller.

Corgi puppy. Note the puppy's ears are not erect in the first few months after birth.

The Welsh Corgi (IPA: /ˈkɔ(ɹ)ˌgi/) is a small breed of dog that originated in Wales. They are believed to be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to Wales with the Vikings. Cor gi means "dwarf dog" in Welsh (and the OED gives the Welsh plural corgwn as an alternative to corgis).

An average Welsh Corgi is around 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) tall at the tallest point in the shoulders and weighs approximately 30 lb (15 kg). Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, Corgis are active dogs, and considered very intelligent. They have proven themselves excellent companion animals and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and agility trials.

Welsh Corgis are generally recognized as two distinct breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. Beginning in 1934, the American Kennel Club recognized them as separate breeds. The Cardigan is the larger of the two, with larger rounded ears and a foxy, flowing tail. The Pembroke features rounded, pointed ears and is somewhat smaller in stature. Historically, the Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob tail (very short tail). Due to the advent of docking, the trait was not aggressively pursued, with breeders focusing instead on other characteristics, and the tail artificially shortened if need be. Given that some countries are now banning docking, breeders are again attempting to select for dogs with the genes for natural bob tails. The coats of both breeds come in a variety of colors, although there are some differences between the breeds.

The Pembroke remains the more common variety. Outside Wales, the breed has been made popular by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who keeps at least four at all times. Corgis make wonderful companions.

Health

Both the Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi are among the healthiest and longest lived dogs in the Herding Group. The Cardigan tends to be a little hardier and has fewer documented hereditary health issues; among them are canine hip dysplasia, canine degenerative myelopathy and progressive retinal atrophy.^[1] Pembroke Welsh Corgis are susceptible to intervertebral disc disease, canine hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy.^[2] Welsh Corgi owners should have their dogs' eyes and hips tested by a veterinarian before breeding. Cardigan Welsh Corgis typically live between 12 and 14 years, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis typically live between 11 and 13 years.^[3]

Corgis in entertainment

Movies

• Little Dog Lost, a 1963 Disney movie, is centered on "Candy," who gets separated from his family, and must go on a journey to find them
• "Edward", played by Bud, has a prominent role in the 1988 film The Accidental Tourist (Bud also appeared in the television show Dharma & Greg and the feature film Dave)
• The 1991 motion picture Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead features "Elvis"
• Bud and Cody, brothers, are the best buddies of the First Lady "Ellen Mitchell" (played by Sigourney Weaver) in the 1993 movie Dave
• Skipper is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the 1997 film Robinson Crusoe starring Pierce Brosnan.
• Disney's 2003 cartoon movie "101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure" has a corgi named Lightning as its canine villain. The corgi is appropriately voiced by Jason Alexander.
• In Stephen Frears' 2006 film The Queen starring Helen Mirren, Queen Elizabeth II's beloved corgis are played by Anna, Poppy and Poppy's puppies Alice, Megan and Oliver. Their real-life owner is Liz Smith of Ipswich.
• The 1998 TV movie "Murder She Purred: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery starring Ricki Lake features a Pembroke Welsh Corgi paired with a cat attempting to solve a classic murder mystery. References are made to common Corgi stereotypes such as having nonchalant and even silly behaviors and an overwhelming love for food.
• In Weird Al's movie UHF the main character, George Newman (played by Yankovic) is seen feeding an overweight Corgi fruit punch before dropping it in the punch bowl by accident.

Television

• Ein, the 'data dog' in the anime series Cowboy Bebop, is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
• In the E! show "The Girls Next Door", Kendra Wilkinson has a Corgi named Rascal. He's seen in most episodes with Kendra in her room and around the Playboy mansion.
• In the HGTV show "Gardening by the Yard", a corgi named Maggie makes regular appearances.

Music

• In Lady Sovereign, a British MC's video called "Love Me Or Hate Me." The Corgi appeared next to the lines: "No I don't own a Corgi, had a hamster, died cuz I ignored it."

Literature

• Ramsey, a stray Pembroke Welsh Corgi searching for a home in The Courageous Corgi by Lea Herrick

Internet

• In 2006 Bob Jerving, the handsome and charismatic young Welsh Corgi, also known as "Bobby" to friends and acquaintances was the star of a photo shoot in the Wisconsin State Journal. He was also the subject of "Dog Blog" written by Christine Martell of the Wisconsin State Journal.
• The internet cartoon Sigroc is corgis spelled backwards.

Video games

• Nintendogs has a Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pup.

Wikiquote

• "Oh, no, it's not dogs I don't like -- it's corgis. They get the blame for all the farts." [On the Queen's Dogs.] - Diana, Princess of Wales
• "Corgis are enchanted. You only need to see them in the moonlight to know this." -Tasha Tudor

See also

• Cardigan Welsh Corgi
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi

References

External links

• MyCorgi.com social networking website for corgi owners
• Corgi rescue website
• Sigroc Website

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